Somehow winter seems to have snuck up on me. I've pulled my winter coats down and my morning walks are now accompanied by a steaming thermos of lemon water and a hat pulled over my ears. But what should I expect really? I live in the Northeast and it's December...
Okay fine, point taken.
Luckily, with the onset of winter, my ferocious season of soup cooking begins. I've made countless … [Read more...]

With winter on its way, I can think of no better meal than a comforting, steaming bowl of soup. It tends to make everything better, even when the wind is whipping outside, the snow is falling and all you want to do is curl up on the couch and watch reruns of Friends. (or is that just me?)
Today I've got an updated version of my Butternut Squash and Apple Soup. I first shared this recipe in … [Read more...]

This plant-based version of the all-American classic, these lentil sloppy joes have all the same flavor without any of the meat. And they're a cinch to whip up. Just toss everything in your slow cooker and let it do the work for you!
I got the idea for this recipe from my brother. He made my quinoa sloppy joes recently and was raving about them, and sent my sloppy joe craving into … [Read more...]

It's that time my friends. Time to pull out your chunky, oversized sweaters. Time to turn on the heater at night. Time to pull out the flannels sheets. Time to open up your scarf drawer. And time to make warm, cozy meals like this root vegetable and lentil quinoa stew for dinner!
I whipped up this last week, using my One Pot Lentils + Quinoa as a base, and brought it to a friend who just had … [Read more...]

I first shared this recipe for my quick and healthy tomato bisque almost 4 years ago. I decided to revisit for a few reasons: first, I was seriously craving a tomato soup this week, second, the photos needed some updating and third, a few weeks ago I spent a night in Indiana hanging out with Tuttorosso Tomatoes and a group of some amazing bloggers!
I've been working with Tuttorosso for a … [Read more...]

Today I'm partnering with my lovely friends from Tuttorosso Tomatoes to bring you a comforting quinoa minestrone that's lightened up with seasonal spring veggies.
A big batch of soup might not be the first thing that jumps to mind as we're moving into spring, but with the chilly weather we've been having in NYC, it was the perfect, simple meal. It also comes together really quickly, so for … [Read more...]

Have to work late and don't have time to make dinner? Slow cooker to the rescue. Don't feel like spending hours at the stove carefully watching your pot to make sure it doesn't boil over or burn? Slow cooker to the rescue. Want to make the easiest, most straightforward dinner ever? Slow cooker to the rescue.
Sensing a theme here? Yep, slow cookers can be pretty amazing. Time-saving, easy and … [Read more...]

A snow storm in NYC yesterday and I missed it. I’m SO bummed.
Being in the city when it’s snowing is magical. It gets super quiet - there’s practically no one walking around and the streets are almost empty. It’s like the city goes to sleep.
Luckily, having Trevi makes us get out and experience the peacefulness. And even though neither of us feel like bundling up and bracing the cold, her … [Read more...]

I've tried to make the perfect carrot ginger soup for years. But every time I try it comes out either way too bland, way too strong or way too carroty.
Don't get me wrong, I know I'm making a carrot soup, but I don't want it to taste like I'm drinking a straight up glass of carrot juice. It needs some depth in the flavor. Something that brings out the sweetness of the carrots and makes my mouth … [Read more...]

Well it's time my friends. Time to turn on the slow cooker. Time to pull out those chunky sweaters from the back of the closet. And time to cozy up to a big bowl of chili.
Because apparently there's some sort of hurricane coming towards the East Coast right now and it's makin' things pretty darn miserable out there. A hurricane? really?
Yep, it's definitely chili time. There's nothing that … [Read more...]

Hi there! I'm Alyssa!

Welcome to Simply Quinoa, a blog dedicated to simple, healthy food, always with a quinoa twist. I'm a former marketer turned full-time blogger living in NYC, with a serious love of anything peanut butter or chocolate. It's nice to meet you!